Firefighters winning blaze battle

CANON CITY — Firefighters were getting the upper hand Tuesday on two small lightning-caused wildfires in the Stultz Gulch drainage about 8 miles south of here.

The larger of the two fires is holding at just under 4 acres and was more than 50 percent contained Tuesday, allowing many of the 38 firefighters crew to focus on a second smaller fire that is about 3 acres in size, said Bob Hurley, U.S. Forest Service fire management officer.

“We will focus our efforts on the smaller fire now that we have an established helicopter landing zone to work with near the area,” Hurley said. “It will be much easier to move personnel and equipment into this location.”

The fire is burning in very steep, rugged terrain at about 9,500 feet. Firefighters from U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Canon City Fire and the Juniper Valley Correctional Industries teams were working on the blazes Tuesday.

“Calm winds were aiding containment efforts Tuesday,” Hurley said. “We anticipate full containment for both fires by midday (today),” if the weather cooperates.

The firefighting effort was aided Monday afternoon by an air tanker that flew into the Fremont County Airport from Rawlins, Wyo., and made 10 drops of retardant.

Smoke may be visible from the site periodically during the next few days as interior fuels continue to burn out. Hand lines constructed by the firefighters should prevent the fire from spreading.

No structures are threatened by the blaze, which started late Sunday afternoon, according to Ed Skerjanec, BLM fire officer.